Is patriotism a desirable emotion?

[merrily]

12. There's patriotism, and then there's jingoism and then there is nationalism.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/patriotism

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/jingoism

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nationalism




Patriotism, imo, is, at a minimum, a real willingness to make a sacrifice for your country--not just dying for it, although that certainly is a huge sacrifice. I certainly don't think wearing a flag in your lapel makes you a patriot--especially if you are a politician. Then, I suspect you may be exploiting the flag.


I once posted with someone who said only members of the military are patriotic. Others are nationalists. I don't know that I would go that far, but the subject is not clear cut.

There is also the question why we think patriotism is a good thing. Do you love your country unconditionally, simply because, by some accident of fate, you were born there? Or do you love it because of the way it conducts itself toward its citizens and residents and toward that rest of the world? Or none of the foregoing? Is love of country for any reason a good thing, or is it better to love and value lives?

I don't have answers to my own questions, but there is much food for thought around these issues.